Lorie
Senior member
- Joined
- May 17, 2007
- Messages
- 551
- Reason
- Loved one DX
- Country
- Uni
- State
- Alabama
- City
- Mobile
ALS is a progressive, disabling disease. Walking, speaking, eating, swallowing, breathing, and other basic functions become more difficult with time. These problems can lead to injury, illness, and other complications.
Respiratory problems are the most common serious complication of ALS. As the muscles in the throat and chest area become weak, swallowing and coughing become more difficult, which may sometimes cause food and saliva to be inhaled into the windpipe (aspiration). This may lead to pneumonia. Breathing problems tend to get worse as the disease progresses, increasing the risk of infection and respiratory failure.
Pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, lung failure, and heart failure (probably due to lack of adequate breathing as the chest muscles weaken) are the most common causes of death among people with ALS. In most cases, death will occur within 3 to 5 years after symptoms begin, although some people live for many years, even decades.1
Respiratory problems are the most common serious complication of ALS. As the muscles in the throat and chest area become weak, swallowing and coughing become more difficult, which may sometimes cause food and saliva to be inhaled into the windpipe (aspiration). This may lead to pneumonia. Breathing problems tend to get worse as the disease progresses, increasing the risk of infection and respiratory failure.
Pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, lung failure, and heart failure (probably due to lack of adequate breathing as the chest muscles weaken) are the most common causes of death among people with ALS. In most cases, death will occur within 3 to 5 years after symptoms begin, although some people live for many years, even decades.1